Bereavement counselling for classmates of teenagers who died in road accident

Flowers at scene of Bedford Road fatal collision

Published:13:34Updated:14:01Monday 01 June 2015

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A school has arranged bereavement support for pupils after two of their classmates died in a road accident.

Lewis Cook and Marie-Ann Wykes, both 16 and from Marston, attended Wootton Upper School, Bedford, and died along with 32-year-old Genevieve Reason, from Woburn Sands, when the car they were travelling was in collision with a lorry on the old A421, Bedford Road, just after midnight on Friday (May 29).

Flowers at scene of Bedford Road fatal collision

Wootton Upper executive principal Michael Gleeson offered his condolences to the families of the bereaved and two men who were injured in the accident. He said: “We are extremely saddened to learn this news and know that students, teachers, support staff, governors and directors and everybody else in our community will feel numb by the enormity of what has happened.

“On behalf of Wootton Academy Trust I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved, and to send our hope and prayers to those injured and their families that they are restored to good health.”

The school ensured Safeguarding and Wellbeing staff were on hand at Wootton Upper School and Kimberley College on Monday morning, and arranged for bereavement counsellors to be available to speak to students.

He added: “We are also aware that given the ages of the victims of this accident that many of the students who knew them will be in the midst of taking GCSEs and AS and A levels examinations and that this will add to the stress and anxiety that students are already under.

Flowers at scene of Bedford Road fatal collision

“Words are inadequate to express just how dreadful this situation is and what a tragedy it is for anyone to lose his or her life this way.

Our hearts reach out to all of the bereaved.”

Police were called to the incident near Sheeptick End just after midnight but the three were pronounced dead at the scene.

Two other men were taken to hospital and have now been discharged.

Flowers at scene of Bedford Road fatal collision

Tribute was paid to ‘vibrant’ Genevieve Reason, a former Dame Alice Harpur School (now Bedford Girls School) pupil, in Bedford.

She worked as Front of House Manager at Formula-Fast karting in Mount Farm.

A spokesman for the company paid tribute to the mother-of-two. They said: “Gen was a vibrant personality with a real enthusiasm for life. She took great happiness in seeing people enjoy themselves and was completely dedicated to her two children.

“She last worked with us during the British Rental Kart Championship and Easter holidays, and was a familiar face to many of our guests at Formula Fast. She will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.

Flowers at scene of Bedford Road fatal collision

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are urging anyone with information about the collision to get in touch. In particular they are appealing for witnesses who saw a white car in the area at the time of the incident to contact them